Adjustable collar-supporter.



No. 811,326. PATENTBD JAN, 30, 1906 F. S. REYNGLDS.

. ADJUSTABLE COLLAR SUPPORTERQ APPLICATION FILED OCT. 16. 1905.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT ()FFIGIiL ADJUSTABLE COLLAR-SUPPORTER- Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Jan. 30, 1906.

Application filed October 16, 1905. Serial No. 282.924.

To rill whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED S. REYNOLDS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Cranston, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented-certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Collar-Supporters, of which the following is a specification.

The invention herewith has relation to improvements in adjustable lace-collar supporters, or spreaders, as they are sometimes termed; and it consists in the combination of two flat longitudinallyanovable interlocking superimposed resilient bars or plates in frictional engagement with each other, each having at an end thereof a. detachably-secured button. or cap.

The primary object of the invention is to produce an extremely simple, solderless, and inexpensive adjustable collar-supporter, the device at the same time having practically all the advantages possessed by other supporters of this class in which the cost is materially greater.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is atop plan view, in enlarged scale, representing my improved adjustable collar-supporter. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, still further enlarged, in partial section, the latter being taken on line a: w of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the bar members. Fig. 4 is a partial side view of the device, showing a slightly-modified form of the head end of the bar. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the latter. Fig. 6 is a side or edge view representing another modification; and Figs. 7 and 8 are top and bottom plan views of the same, respectively.

In my improved adjustable collarsupporter A, I employ the two main narrow flat bar members a a, which are cut or formed from suitable thin and slightly-resilient sheetmetal stock. The head portion a of each bar is enlarged laterally and provided with an opening a arranged to receive the shank portion of the fellow-bar. The opposite sides or ties a of the head. a may be bent slightly above the plane of the bar to facilitate the passage therethrough of the shank of the other bar. The opposite end of the bar is, as drawn, provided with a fixed screw-threaded vertical post p, to which a suitable cap or button member 0 is removably secured. The two bars thus far described are exact duplicates of each other. In assembling them they are oppositely disposed and superimposed, one of them, however, being inverted.

As thus constructed and arranged each member forms a guide and support for the other, the two being practically interlocking.

In order that the device may be adjusted to predetermined lengths or varying distances between the buttons 0, one of the members say the lower or back one, a *may have formed therein a series of suitably-spaced longitudinally-arranged alining holes h, the other or upper member at having a short beveled projection h on its under side arranged to register with and enter said holes. As drawn, the projection 7b is produced by indenting the bar by means of a suitable tool or implement, thereby forcing the stock below the general surface at that point, as clearly shown in Fig.2.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the collar-supporter A is represented. as being in the fully-extended position. Now in order to shorten or adjust the device the two bar members are pressed toward each other endwise. (See arrow direction, Fig. 2.) The slight force thus exerted causes the beveled lug or pin h to slide from its hole It, the movement being continued until the lug enters the desired opening. It may be added that owing to the re siliency of the bars the presence of the lug springs them apart su'l'iiciently for its passage until it arrives at an opening h, as just stated, at which instant the reaction of the bar 1nembers automatically springs them snugly and normally together flatwise and insures the seating of the lug in its corresponding hole, thereby practically locking the bars and preventing them from being accidentally disarranged or separated.

In lieu of providing the head a with the opening a the stock may be cut and bent to form a raised tie or bridge (i arranged for the frictional passage thereunder of the shank of the other bar a, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. In the corresponding plan view, Fig. 5, the member a is omitted.

The head portion of each of the bars a a may be provided with oppositely-disposed integral narrow ears a adapted when bent to frictionally clasp the fellow-bar and form a lateral support and guide therefor, as represented in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. The manner of assembling or combining the parts and adjusting them to any desired position is substantially the same as before described.

It will be seen that my improved adjustable collar-supporter A may be very cheaply constructed. The main bar members a a.

are exact duplicates of each other, but are reversely arranged. No solder Whatever is used. The posts p are inexpensive and are readily secured in the bars, and the caps or buttons 0 may be plain or ornamental, as desired.

In applying the device the buttons 0 are first removed and the bars pressed endwise toward or from each other the desired extent, as in shortening and lengthening the supporter. The post portions p are then inserted from the back of the collar through openings in the latter, followed by resecuring the buttons in position, the collar thereby being firmly clamped or held between the base of the buttons and the adjacent surfaces of the bars, as at the point m, Fig. 2, thus completing the operation.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent- 1. In a device of the character described,

, the combination of two reversely-arranged superimposed interlocking resilient bar members in slidable frictional engagement with each other, means integral with said members for maintaining them in an adjusted position, and a button or cap detachably secured to each end of the device, for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The adjustable collar-supporter A herein described, the same consisting of two reversely arranged flat superimposed thin sheet-metal resilient bar members a a, each having an end thereof arranged to receive and form a guide for the shank portion of the fellow bar, said bars being slidably or adjustably movable upon each other in an end- Wise direction, means integral with the bars for holding them in adjusted positions, and caps or buttons 0 removably secured to the outer ends of the collar-supporter.

Signed at Providence, Rhode Island, this 13th day of October, 1905.

FRED S. REYNOLDS.

Witnesses:

FRANK B. REYNOLDS GEO. H. REMINGTON. 

